The First Semi-Final opened with host Julia Sanina performing part of 'Маяк' by her band, The Hardkiss. The interval featured global superstar Rita Ora, who delivered a medley of some of her biggest hits and her then-new single, 'Praising You'. Ukrainian singer Alyosha, who represented Ukraine at the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest, performed alongside Liverpool's acclaimed singer-songwriter, Rebecca Ferguson. Alyosha, who was forced to leave her country as a refugee in 2022, shared her personal journey through a new, haunting arrangement of Duran Duran’s song, 'Ordinary World'.